A team of archaeologists has discovered a previously unknown Mayan city hidden deep in the Calakmul nature reserve in Mexico and covered by jungle for more than a millennium. The ancient settlement, called Minanbé, is remarkably well-preserved and is considered one of the most important archaeological discoveries in recent years in the region. The discovery was made by a joint Mexican-Slovenian team led by archaeologist Ivan Šprajc, after nearly 30 years of research in the Central Maya Plains. The researchers used LiDAR technology and field studies to identify the structures hidden under the dense canopy of the forest.
To reach the discovery site, the expedition dug a five-kilometer-long trail through the jungle, before continuing on special vehicles and then on foot. Upon arrival, archaeologists confirmed that the city covers an area of about 15 hectares. At Minanbé, public squares, ceremonial buildings, palaces, terraces and an advanced water management system with wetlands and hydraulic canals have been identified. The name of the city means “no path” in the Yucatec Mayan language, referring to its complete isolation. According to the expedition leader, the city was almost untouched by looting, a rarity for archaeological sites of this type.
One of the most impressive structures is a pyramidal temple over 13 meters high, built in the Río Bec architectural style, with detailed stonework, steep steps and decorative elements. A carved stele in very good condition was also discovered next to it. The team documented a total of 14 monuments, including altars and columns with hieroglyphic inscriptions. One of them depicts a figure holding a weapon over a captive in a scene of beheading, while another depicts a ruler adorned with feathers and ceremonial clothing.
Analysis of the inscriptions showed that some of the monuments date to 849 AD, in the Late Classic period of the Maya civilization, shortly before the abandonment of many major cities in the 10th century. Another monument may be even earlier, dating from the late seventh century. According to the researchers, the discovery of Minanbé offers new data on the political organization, architecture and life of the Maya civilization, while at the same time raising new questions about the migrations and transformations that accompanied the decline of this ancient civilization.
